Kubota glow plugs problem.

DaveBN · May 4, 2023

My L 3010 Kubota has been having problems with the glow plugs. At first they would come on intermittently then not at all. I replaced the relay which i thought corrected the problem. Yesterday glow plugs would not come on or at least the indicator on the dash didn't show they were on. I replaced the controller timer module and the glow plugs indicator comes on but only for a few seconds, not enough to warm the engine. I'm not sure if they have been coming on long enough thru this whole event. The tractor is stored indoors and the temperature varies so I'm not always sure how long they should be on. Tractor starts hard but does start. Any ideas why the short time the glow plugs indicator stays on? The temperature sensor tests good and the control module and relay were bad as each time I changed a part my symptoms changed and got better.
Dave

wore out · May 4, 2023

Have you checked that all glowplugs are good and drawing current and the connections/wiring to each are good?

A ''bad'' GP or bad wiring connections can cause a faster voltage rise at the controller, tricking it into short-cycling the GP's.

Steve in IL · May 4, 2023

Dave - I have a similar intermittent issue with a NH TC21. Sometimes the indicator light on the dash comes on, sometimes it does
not (and the glow plugs are not working when the light does not come on). I found a work around... I noticed that the light does
always come on when the key is in the actual engine crank position.... So I fool it... I leave the range lever in a range (not in
neutral), where the interlock keeps the starter from actually running, and place the key in the start position. Glow plug light
comes on (and glow plugs are on). Count to 10. Then shift range lever into neutral, and try to start. Starts right up every
time. Perhaps try this on your Kubota?

DaveBN · May 4, 2023

Steve, my Kubota is different than your tractor but I did essentially the same thing. I engaged the PTO and turned the key to start for 30 seconds. My glow plugs indicator light did not come on but my engine started right up so I'm sure the glow plugs were on.
That does not fix my problem but I can use the tractor until I figure it all out.
Thank you.
Dave

BarnyardEngineering · May 4, 2023

I was going to ask if you put on your tinfoil hat and did the watusi too, but then it occurred to me you were using the safety lockout to your advantage...

Geo-TH,In · May 4, 2023

How do you check for current?
Buy a clamp on DC ammeter.
Expensive DC clamp on ammeters are $400 to
$600

This meter is around $ 40 from Amazon.

It cam measure 0.15 amps used by
alternator idiot light.
150 amps my dump trailer uses.

I think it's a great value and surprising
accurate.

showcrop · May 4, 2023

The preheat light on my L3010 stays on for only 2-3 seconds or maybe four if it is down in the teens. A couple years ago I had an indication that it was not preheating properly and I got into it a little but IIRC it was just a bad connection at one of the plugs. I don't believe that I put any parts in it.

Traditional Farmer · May 4, 2023

Check your GP by feeling them and see if they are warm.On those compacts pretty common for the relay to go bad.On my Mitsubishi the GP would stay on while running and it burned them out when I bought it,put a direct switch I can turn on and off to solve the problem.NGK GP $55 each from Cub Cadet,$5 each from NAPA

DaveBN · May 4, 2023

Thank you all for your advice. It all helps.
Dave

Kubota glow plugs problem.

DaveBN

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wore out

Well-known Member

Steve in IL

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DaveBN

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BarnyardEngineering

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Geo-TH,In

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showcrop

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Traditional Farmer

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DaveBN

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